I’ve been mulling what God says about strength ever since I wrote about it four weeks ago. This past week, COVID’s delta variant and the Afghan government’s collapse ratcheted life to a more precarious, difficult level than most of us have ever seen. How can we get through its challenges unless we grasp what God wants us to know about strength? (We could use an extra dose of it right now.)…
Grab your favorite brew and visit a few minutes with Encouragement from Living History. That sums up my blog: thoughts grounded in the Bible, sprinkled with interesting tidbits from history, all applied to life today. Readers say, “I learn something new every time I read your blog.” Here’s an open invitation to sit a few minutes now and come back often to share your thoughts.
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What Do You Feed, Clothe, and Put to Bed?
Your immediate answer may seem straightforward, especially if your children are young or grandchildren are visiting….
When Life’s Have-to’s Overwhelm You
Despite a crushing work deadline, I’m playing Solitaire on my computer. The project’s overbearing demands weary me. But coursing deep below them, like an underground river, is a more profound fatigue….
When Strength Fails You
I’ve been thinking about strength a lot lately—partially because COVID-19 stole much of mine from me. It’s hellacious trying to regain those losses. My legs scream after I hike for just a half hour….
When God Wrecks Your Life
Here’s an amazing thing. God offers to covenant with you. Contracts depend on laws that can be broken, but a covenant is a perpetual pledge. God promises to protect and provide for you and give you eternal blessings when you believe Jesus is who He says He is. This covenant is so loving, so giving, that you may not notice its postscript: I will wreck your life….
Living in the Tension between Now and Not-Yet
Tension is a good thing. It keeps us on the edge of our seat when reading a book or watching a movie. Tension makes cranes work and keeps suspension bridges suspended….
The Hurt and Healing from Surrendering your Scars
“Never be ashamed of a scar. It means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you” (source unknown)….
How to Go the Distance like Bartimaeus
Eighty percent of Jesus’ recorded miracles are healings, so you’d think the Gospels would include at least a few of those people’s names—like Peter’s mother-in-law. But, resurrections aside, the Gospels record the name of only one person Jesus healed….
How I Truly Know God Is Good
The last eighteen months have caused many people to question or blame God for all the bad that’s happened—especially when it affected them personally. Count me with the questioners. I wondered if I’d experience joy again….
Group Mentality of a Miracle: Raising Lazarus
Last week, Memorial Day prompted us to honor the fallen in our Armed Forces. It’s sobering to think about dead people, but the Bible tells us death isn’t the end of our story. Paradoxically, the Bible also talks about fighting death. I don’t know about you, but that’s a head-scratcher for me….
